http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills info@washingtonwatch.com http://www.pjdoland.com/chai/?v=0.1 http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_HR_5781.html#47893 Anyone who thinks federal employees make a net contribution to the economy don't understand how our government works. Taxes pay your wage. Those same taxes are taken from the citizens and companies who are the real engines of the economy. My employees are well paid and have better benefits than most governments. For that I am rewarded with a hard-working, productive, and loyal workforce. Much better than I can say for many public sector employees.... 47893@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Tue, 30 Dec 2008 18:30:14 EST http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_HR_5781.html#47857 Hmmm, you are no different than the federal government. You run a business, market your product, hire/retain employees, etc. I'm sure you are getting what you are paying for based on what benefits you provide. As a federal employee, I also contribute to the economy. What makes you think you stand out above everyone else???... 47857@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Mon, 29 Dec 2008 14:54:49 EST http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_HR_5781.html#47854 With the current economy some federal female employees can not afford to take 6 weeks unpaid. Somone above said that they were already goingto be paid anyway so whatis the big deal. If the USG can shell out 8.7 billion to banks, who don't know what they did with the money then they can do the 850 million over 4 years. PASS THIS BILL!!!!... 47854@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Mon, 29 Dec 2008 14:39:00 EST http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_HR_5781.html#47586 Top of your class? Is that when you started making up words? "deplenished" I'm sure you can wait to start your family until you have some more leave saved up. Perhaps instead of using your sick leave on friday or monday to have that 3-day weekend you could try using it the way it is intended.... 47586@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Fri, 19 Dec 2008 15:50:03 EST http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_HR_5781.html#47579 did you go ask your neighbor for money when you drove down the highway that tax payers paid for, or sent your children to a public school, last time you used a public hospital, went to a state college, used a public park??? Come on!... 47579@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Fri, 19 Dec 2008 13:44:35 EST http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_HR_5781.html#47578 Today, as a fed, I helped to provide of 30,000 working poor with healthcare. I have worked for the fed govt for one year, came from the private sector, top in class in college and wanted to do a job that I could be proud of. My husband and I would like to start a family, but with my unused leave totalling 3 weeks we are unable to do so. We are young and just starting out, we just bought a new house, have a decent savings and with our incomes can afford a child. However, our savings will be deplenished if I cannot receive partial pay during my maternal period. However, my husband who teaches special education children in a public school (tax dollars) will receive 6 weeks of paternal wages. We as fed employees and county employees, pay just as much tax as anyone else, but cannot use most of the benefits, so offering this one thing of 4 weeks of paid leave does not seem so ridiculous. I can help the working class, but can't ask for help??... 47578@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Fri, 19 Dec 2008 13:41:24 EST http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_HR_5781.html#47506 I'm all for the bill with this exception. The person who is on leave should have to collect the money from their neighbors who would receive a credit against the taxes they pay. That way the shame of asking other people to support you would attach to your "paid" leave... 47506@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Wed, 17 Dec 2008 08:37:59 EST http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_HR_5781.html#47411 None of the above. I own my own business and make use of my time as I see fit. At least I'm contributing to the economy, unlike many public employees.... 47411@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Sun, 14 Dec 2008 21:54:07 EST http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_HR_5781.html#47284 just what do you do for a living that you are so quick to respond to others comments? Are you living on a pension paid for by taxpayers, the consumer, or are you on welfare?... 47284@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Wed, 10 Dec 2008 14:29:56 EST http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_HR_5781.html#47282 It is in the best interest of the federal employee families - not the rest of us. Tell it like it really is - you want something for you and you don't give one tinker's damn who has to pay for it. The only way this should pass is if it requires each government employee to pay into an insurance fund. That money, and only that money, could then be used to pay for the benefit.... 47282@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Wed, 10 Dec 2008 14:12:22 EST http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_HR_5781.html#47251 The government is a business just like Ford, Nike, and McDonalds. Yes, our pay/benefits are ultimately paid for by tax-payers, but that doesnt mean that every person that contributes $1000 towards taxes gets to be so judgemental on benefits to the employees. Each business should decide whats best for their employees. This bill is in the best interest of families and it should be passed.... 47251@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Tue, 09 Dec 2008 18:17:36 EST http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_HR_5781.html#47137 The reason all you government employees pay so much tax as a group is because of the bloated size of the government. And with the democratic administration coming in it will only grow. Talk about socialism - just give them all a government job.... 47137@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Thu, 04 Dec 2008 19:40:49 EST http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_HR_5781.html#47012 This bill is a positive for Americans. At least this would support people who are willing to work and have jobs rather than the deadbeat people that we have been supporting for many years. It is hard to think of my tax dollars going to support someone who is perfectly capable to get a job and refuses to. They receive wick and all kinds of tax breaks. Why can't the working American receive this kind of help too. Besides, a majority of the Federal employees pay more in taxes than any other employing agency. Why not try to help each other out.... 47012@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Sun, 30 Nov 2008 10:52:18 EST http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_HR_5781.html#46869 I think the fact that private companies get disability leave and govt emps dont is ridiculous in the first place. We pay taxes, and are public servants! We run the government, the public uses it! We should be afforded the SAME disability benefits that others get as well. I am due in January and I get paid a heck of a lot less than half you private firm emps out there; we deserve to get 3 months paid leave as well!... 46869@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Mon, 24 Nov 2008 14:19:51 EST http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_HR_5781.html#46625 You call yourself a leader? You don't have a clue what a leader is. To make statements like you have here simply shows you for what you really are - an idiot who should be tarred and feathered and run out of town on a rail.... 46625@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Thu, 20 Nov 2008 11:23:55 EST http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_HR_5781.html#46604 Mother-to-be, Why are you not trying to get the benefit for everyone, not just government employees? As I'm sure you intended, you sound like an elitist with your statements about those who earn less than you. That simply shows how little you care about your fellow citizens. All you are interested in is making sure everyone else helps fund your time off. "senior leader" my butt - What a crock of B.S.... 46604@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Thu, 20 Nov 2008 09:14:47 EST http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_HR_5781.html#46537 I am a mother-to-be with 10+ years as a senior leader with the Government. This is much needed for mothers and fathers. This leave would not be a vacation. I worked very hard and am blessed to have what I have (including the benefits). I do not feel guilty for having a good job and I could care less what ignorant, selfish, greedy people think. Part of my tax dollars (about $40K/ year) is going towards this $700B bailout for the big businesses. Why is it okay to give to big businesses but not okay to give to hard working people? Regardless, some of you only pay $5K a year in taxes. That's hardly enough to pay my salary for a week. Every little bit helps though. Thanks!!!... 46537@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Wed, 19 Nov 2008 13:54:26 EST http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_HR_5781.html#46286 Continuing... I also like Rep. Kenny Marchant of Texas' idea that employees be able to contribute to a fund that they would be allowed to tap for leave. When so much of our tax dollars are going to support utterly stupid and unproductive programs, studies, and such, I would like to see this country try and wake-up and see that we need to take care of our children. The statistics show that we are sorely not doing so now.... 46286@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Mon, 17 Nov 2008 02:15:14 EST http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_HR_5781.html#46285 This is a great bill and everyone should encourage their respective representative to pass this bill. It amazes me that something so family oriented is being trashed. This bill would allow BOTH parents, no matter the sex, to be able to take time off and care for their child. I dont find any problem with MY tax dollars going toward that. We have so many family issues in this country and a bill comes along that is pro-family and it gets bashed and bad-mouthed. I don't feel that 4 weeks is unreasonable, and I can safely say that everyone that has commented could not afford to take even 2 weeks of unpaid leave off to care for a newborn, let alone the 12 unpaid weeks that are permissable. After the 4 weeks if they wanted to take more it would HAVE to come from accrued sick or annual leave saved up. True, there is a provision for OPM to grant an additional 4 weeks at their discretion, but from what I see it would have to be extraordinary circumstances.... 46285@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Mon, 17 Nov 2008 02:11:20 EST http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_HR_5781.html#46182 So which of those two categories do you put yourself. I suspect the first but with your potty mouth you probably are in both.... 46182@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Fri, 14 Nov 2008 00:46:39 EST http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_HR_5781.html#46148 Charlie, you are an ignorant, arrogant, pig! Everyone should be benefited in one way or another. Like many other citizens, I'm tired of the crack whores and the unemployed getting all the benefits.... 46148@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Thu, 13 Nov 2008 14:18:40 EST http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_HR_5781.html#45894 "the best and brightest" in government work? What a laugh that is.... 45894@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Thu, 06 Nov 2008 21:39:36 EST http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_HR_5781.html#45889 Bull**it!... 45889@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Thu, 06 Nov 2008 20:56:03 EST http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_HR_5781.html#45886 Mothers and fathers alike in any job take time off for their children. A pregnant woman who must use her accrued time for family and self care is not abusing their leave. Paid maternity should be available for many reasons. One very good reason is recovery. I personally am in need of a c-section, which is major surgey, and may require surgery during my pregnancy as well for complications. Even if I had 8 years to plan this pregnancy, all its complications can not be planned for. Accruing a few hours a month that are used by medical complications run out long before birth. I pay taxes...I have no issue with my taxes paying for maternity leave for others who are in need. My taxes already pay for plans I do not qualify for, so its only fair my taxes also go towards something that will benefit me and people like me.... 45886@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Thu, 06 Nov 2008 20:43:35 EST http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_HR_5781.html#45858 Paid parental leave should be part of the benefits package needed to attract and retain talented federal employees. Do you think anyone would go into federal service if there were no benefits? And to those who would tell us feds to "get a real job in the private sector" if we don't like our federal benefits - whom do you think will leave government first and be hired on the private side? The best and brightest, of course. And whom do you think is going to be left to run your government for you after you drive all the quality employees into the private sector for lack of competitive employment benefits?? It will be the ones who can't find employment in the private sector. It's time for the US to catch up with other first-world nations on this issue, and our goverment should be at the forefront of that effort by setting an example in how it treats its own workforce.... 45858@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Thu, 06 Nov 2008 12:20:08 EST